Clark grabs headlines as Els exits

Last updated: 28th July 2012

Tim Clark grabbed the day two headlines at the Canadian Open, but Americans Scott Piercy and William McGirt are the overall leaders.

Just a day after Piercy shot a course record 62 to take the first-day lead, South African Clark emulated him to shoot up to joint fifth in the leaderboard following an opening 70.

The 36-year-old finds him just three strokes behind leaders Piercy and McGirt after his brilliant second round at the Hamilton G&CC in Ontario.

"I'm excited," Clark said. "It is nice to be back up in Canada. I have some good memories up here. The course suits me well, too, and I've enjoyed playing."

The 36-year-old, who has suffered from a loss of form and injuries in the past few seasons, added: "The only way to get better was to come out here and play tournament golf.

"I could feel I was getting better every round I played."

Piercy remained atop the leaderboard at 11-under-par after carding a 67 while McGirt followed up his opening 63 with another solid 66.

"This golf is boring golf for me," said Piercy. "I'm not going for it. I'm not trying to put my foot on the accelerator. I'm kind of touch and go."

McGirt is still searching for his first PGA Tour win and he is not getting ahead of himself with the weekend still ahead.

"There are still 36 holes left," he said. "There is a lot of golf left."

American Robert Garrigus is one stroke behind the leaders, Bo Van Pelt is another shot adrift while Fiji's Vijay Singh and American Josh Teater are tied for fifth with Clark.

While Clark had a day to remember, his compatriot Ernie Els couldn't follow up his Open Championship win with another success story.

He missed the cut by three shots after rounds of 72 and 70 and Jim Furyk, the winner in 2006 at Hamilton and 2007 at Angus Glen, joined him on the sidelines after carding 70-70.